By Ray King
A high-speed chase that began on the east side of Pine Bluff Thursday afternoon and ended on the west side resulted in the arrest of two men on weapons and gang related charges.
The owner of the car was also arrested on an allegation that the expiration tag on the paper tag on the vehicle had been altered.
Police identified the driver of the car as Vernon McCraney, 23, of pine Bluff and the passenger as Jacques Shorter, 19, both of Pine Bluff. Both are charged with violation of the Uniform Machine Gun act, criminal use of a prohibited weapon and engaging in violent criminal gang activity.
McCraney is also charged with felony fleeing, unauthorized use of property to facilitate a crime and aggravated assault.
Bond for McCraney was set at $150,000 and for Shorter at $50,000.
During a court hearing Friday, Deputy Prosecutor Ty Spradlin said on Thursday at about 4 p.m., a police officer when he saw a white passenger vehicle traveling at a speed greater than the posted limit and attempted a traffic stop.
The vehicle was determined to be a 2024 Hyundai Elantra with a paper tag on it. The vehicle continued until it stopped in front of 1604 Oak Street and a passenger later identified ran carrying a black backpack before falling and being taken into custody. McRaney also attempted to flee but a police vehicle blocked his path and he was arrested,
The owner of the vehicle, Ariel Howard, 26, came to the scene and she was also arrested.
Pine Bluff District Judge John Kearney set a$25,000 bond for Howard after ruling prosecutors have probable cause to charge her with falsifying a title or registration.
Howard, Shorter and McCraney were told to come back to court Jan. 26.
